To state that Tokyo is large would be a major understatement. The Japanese funding is one of the largest in the world both by land area as well as population, something that becomes apparent quite overwhelmingly when you see it from above. From the observation deck of the Tokyo SkyTree, the city appears to be sprawling, stretching its concrete arms to the horizon in all directions. We’ve went to several times before, as well as yet there are still so numerous parts of the city that we have yet to explore.
Thankfully, Tokyo is likewise house to one of the world’s many expansive as well as many outstanding train networks, operating in true Japanese fashion: efficient, organized, as well as on time. No matter exactly how significant or exactly how elaborate Tokyo is, getting around doesn’t requirement to be stressful. As long as there’s a train station close to your destination — as well as there typically is — it’s never truly that far.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
Understanding Tokyo’s train System
DAY 1 stop 1: Ueno-okachimachi traveler info Center
Stop 2: Ameyoko
Stop 3: Tokyo Tower
Stop 4: Hamarikyu Gardens
Stop 5: Tsukiji Market
Stop 6: teamLab Planets
Stop 7: Tokyo Metropolitan government Building
Stop 8: Ninja Shinjuku
DAY 2Stop 1: Toei transportation info Center
Stop 2: cheerful Minowa buying Street
Stop 3: Ramen 1/20 (Ramen Nijubunnoichi)
Stop 4: Asukayama Park
Stop 5: Oji Inari Shrine
Stop 6: Akihabara
Stop 7: Tokyo SkyTree
Stop 8: Asakusa
Stop 9: Tempura Daikokuya
Tokyo trip Summary
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Understanding Tokyo’s train System
Tokyo’s comprehensive train system is managed by over a lots operators, however in this itinerary, we will only be utilizing the train lines as well as the tram line which is extremely unusual in the city. The train lines are operated by Toei transportation as well as Tokyo Metro. Although separate entities, these two work in excellent synergy. Each of them operate several lines that are so linked to every other, it’s outstanding exactly how the Japanese make it work as well as they do it like clockwork. Often, you don’t requirement to exit the gates as well as purchase new tickets even if you switch from Toei train line to Tokyo Metro line. (There are situations when you do, though.) train lines are marked with an assigned letter in a color-coded circle. For example, the Toei Oedo Line’s mark is an E in a magenta circle, while the Toei Asakusa Line’s mark is a the letter A in a increased pink circle. keep in mind these marks as well as the companies’ logos since this is exactly how you’ll discover them.
We’ve just shown up from one more Tokyo trip, however this time, we challenged ourselves if we would be able to see in two days the city’s essential attractions including the typical crowd favorites as well as those off the beaten path utilizing only the train as well as the tram. After the trip, we were able to find up with this 2-day itinerary, which is ideal for first-timers who desire to see the very best that the city has to offer however in a restricted time. If you’re staying for much more days, you can likewise utilize this as part of a bigger itinerary.
By the way, if you choose a visual guide, we likewise have a video version of this post! inspect it out below:
DAY 1
For the very first day’s itinerary, you will be utilizing the Toei Oedo Line a lot. This train line is especially helpful for visitors since it links numerous of the most prominent traveler areas in Tokyo including the Tokyo Tower, Shinjuku, Yoyogi, as well as Roppongi. however of course, we’ll likewise utilize other train lines.
For the next two days, it’s a fantastic concept to have a Tokyo train Ticket. This pass grants you limitless gain access to to both Toei train lines as well as Tokyo Metro lines. It’s offered in 24-hour, 48-hour, as well as 72-hour variants. right here are the prices:
24 hours: Adult: ¥800, Child: ¥400
48 hours: Adult: ¥1,200, Child: ¥600
72 hours: Adult: ¥1,500, Child: ¥750
It’s offered at Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, as well as choose hotels, Bic video camera branches, as well as traveler info Centers (more about that later) all around Tokyo. You can likewise purchase on the internet through Klook. You will requirement to present your passport since it’s offered only for tourists.
The excellent thing about the Tokyo train Ticket is: You don’t requirement to autumn in line to purchase a ticket each time you’re taking the subway. So not only do you save money, you likewise save a great deal of time! extremely convenient. since this is a 2-day itinerary, we’ll be utilizing the 48-hour ticket.
Stop 1: Ueno-okachimachi traveler info Center
Nearest train Station: Ueno-okachimachi (Toei Oedo Line)
Before you get the celebration started, it’s always a great concept to begin your day with a stop at the info Center. With the number of visitorsenhancing as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well as Paralympics approaches, Toei transportation produced traveler info centers to offer travel info to visitors. one of them is the Ueno-okachimachi traveler info Center.
Grab some brochures as well as if you have questions, just ask away, since the personnel right here speak English, as well as even Chinese. They can assist you with directions or suggestions on where to go.
If you weren’t able to purchase a Tokyo train Ticket at the flight terminal or before the trip, you can likewise get one here.
Stop 2: Ameyoko
Nearest train Station: Ueno-okachimachi (Toei Oedo Line)
Instead of boarding the train best away, make your method on foot to Ameyoko, which is found just around the corner.
Ameyoko is a market street where you can shop for practically anything you can believe of. A broad range of products are offered here: bags, clothes, shoes, accessories, spices, fish. Don’t be amazed if you see barkers announcing discount rates while standing on a chair amidst a sea of humanity. The street is likewise flanked with some eateries where you can have a quick meal.
When you’re done, walk back to the Ueno-okachimachi Station, take the Toei Oedo Line to Kasuga, as well as transfer to Toei Mita Line to Onarimon Station.
Stop 3: Tokyo Tower
Nearest train Stations: Onarimon station (Toei Mita Line), Akabanebashi (Toei Oedo Line)
Tokyo Tower operating Hours: Daily, 9am-11pm
Emerging from the Onarimon Station, you’ll be greeted by the Zojoji Temple, the center of Chinzei Buddhism in the Kanto Region. This makes the stroll to the Tokyo Tower from the station a peaceful as well as enjoyable one. If you have much more time, you can make a quick stop right here too. however even from here, the commanding existence of the Tokyo Tower cannot be ignored, as it stands over the site.
At practically 333 meters, the Tokyo Tower is the second tallest structure in Japan, next only to Tokyo sky Tree. It is a communications tower that was developed in 1958 as well as was influenced by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Today, tourists are welcome to climb to the top observatory to delight in amazing views of the city. Admission charges to the observation decks are ¥900 yen (main deck) as well as ¥2800 (both decks). However, since we will be going to two much more observation decks this trip, you may avoid climbing as well as just admire the tower from below, which is FREE.
Although you came from Onarimon Station, we’re utilizing the Akabanebashi station to get to our next destination. At Akabanebashi Station, take the Toei Oedo Line to Shiodome Station.
Stop 4: Hamarikyu Gardens
Nearest train Station: Shiodome (Toei Oedo Line)
Entrance Fee: ¥300
Hours open: 9:00am to 5:00pm, everyday (except December 29-January 1)
Tokyo’s map is shaded by a number of parks as well as gardens, however the most well-known ones can get as well congested particularly in top season. This is why Hamarikyu gardens was so attractive to us: it stays the pocket of peace that it has always been, even in the middle of the busy metropolis.
Facing Tokyo Bay, Hamarikyu gardens utilized to be where the vacation home of the Tokugawa clan stood back in the day. Today, it is a landscaped public garden decorated by trees surrounding a few ponds. At the center of the largest pond stands a teahouse, where you can delight in Japanese tea as well as sweets. You can likewise admire plum blossoms if you see in late February as well as cherry blossoms in late March or early April.
After a moment of peace right here at the gardens, it’s time for lunch! Our next stop is just a short walk away!
Stop 5: Tsukiji Market
Nearest train Station: Tsukijishijo (Toei Oedo Line)
Until 2018, the inner section of the Tsukiji Market was where Tokyo’s well-known fish auction happens. It was the largest seafood market in the city. The primary inner operation has because been transferred to Toyosu, however the outer market stays to life as well as kicking. a number of seafood restaurants as well as sushi bars continue to draw tourists from around the world.
This is likewise your lunch stop for today. You can pick any type of location that you like. On our last trip, we chose to try Tsukiji Itadori Market, a seafood restaurant that is widely known for their kaisendon, a bowl of rice topped with assorted sashimi. There are over 15 bowls to select from, including seared choices if you’re not a fan of raw fish. The three best-sellers are the kaisen-don (Bowl 1, ¥1480), jo kaisen-don (bowl 2), as well as gouka itadori don.
I chose to purchase Jo kaisen-don, which is a much more premium version of their signature kaisen-don. The bowl included slices of medium fatty tuna, salmon, as well as octopus among others. however the primary reason I selected this was the uni (sea urchin). among other toppings were salmon roe, scallop, as well as a lovely shrimp at the extremely center.
Vins was much more adventurous as well as let the chef choose the pieces on his bowl when he purchased Omakase sanchoku-don (Bowl 5). Omakase implies “to leave it as much as you,” as well as sanchoku implies “straight from the source.” He was quite pleased with the outcome.
After a satisfying meal, we explored the rest of the outer market to inspect out what else we might delight in as we made our method to Tsukijishijo Station. From there, we took the Toei Oedo Line to Tsukishima as well as changed to Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line to Toyosu.
Stop 6: teamLab Planets
Nearest train Station: Toyosu (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line)
Admission fee: ¥2700 weekdays, ¥3200 weekends as well as holidays
We’ve always wished to experience teamLab because we very first chanced upon a viral video on Facebook. like the other incarnations, teamLab Planets is a digital art museum that tickles your senses. It’s body immersive so you can really interact with the installations. Not to be confused with teamLab Borderless (which has much more zones), teamLab Planets has only seven sections spanning over 10,000 square meters, which implies much more area to relocation around. We were rather surprised, too. We expected to see a space full of visitors, however it wasn’t as congested as I imagined.
One thing you requirement to understand about teamLab Planets is that you will have to take off your shoes before entering since you will be wading in warm water at the extremely beginning as well as it gets knee-deep in some areas. wear something knee-length or at least something you can roll as much as the knees. The walls as well as even floors are made from mirrors, so make sure you don’t wear short skirts.
But all these bit preparations are worth it. The exhibits are so amazing, I had to hold my jaws to keep them from falling.
After being treated to the sensory treat that was teamLab Planets, trace your steps back to Tsukishima station as well as switch to Toei Oedo Line to Tochomae Station.
Stop 7: Tokyo Metropolitan government Building
Nearest train Station: Tocho-mae (Toei Oedo Line)
Hours open: North Observatory, 9:30am-11pm; South Observatory, temporarily closed for remodellings up until spring 2019, otherwise it’s open from 9:30am-5:30pm.
Closed: 2nd as well as 4th Monday of the month, as well as December 29-January 3
Admission Fee: FREE
View from Tokyo Metropolitan government Building
No, we’re not right here to do an errand. The Tokyo Metropolitan government building has totally free observation decks that enable a few of the very best vistas of the city. since it’s totally free as well as there are only two elevators, expect to autumn in line a bit, however the wait is worth it. From right here you can see the Tokyo Tower as well as the Tokyo SkyTree! You can even see Mt. Fuji on a remove day.
If you can make it before sunset, that would be very since you’ll get to delight in the view in daytime, at twilight, as well as at night!
Stop 8: Ninja Shinjuku
Nearest train Stations: Tocho-mae, Shinjuku-nishiguchi (Toei Oedo Line), Shinjuku (Toei Shinjuku Line)
Dinner time! Tokyo has a few of the most eccentric as well as in some cases downright unusual dining locations like house maid cafés as well as robot restaurants. This time, though, we were able to try a restaurant run by ninjas!
Ninja Shinjuku is one of the numerous ninja-themed restaurants across the city. As expected, there were a great deal of techniques as the food was served. The meal likewise ended with a wildly entertaining as well as outstanding “magic” show that showed off the ninja master’s sleight-of-hand skills. however the most unexpected part of the evening was the food: it was surprisingly good. You see, many home entertainment restaurants provide the products as far as home entertainment is concerned, however falls short when it concerns the food. however each serving throughout our 6-course meal was delicious, from the amuse-bouche
down to the dessert. All the smoke as well as mirrors were just a bonus offer for me.
A common meal costs ¥4000. If that’s over your budget, you can select one more restaurant in Shinjuku area. You’ll never run out of choices here!
With that, DAY 1 concerns a close. From here, you can travel back to your hotel. If you’re staying near Ueno-okachimachi, you can just take the Toei Oedo Line again. If your hotel is better to a Toei Shinjuku Line Station, you may likewise walk to Shinjuku station instead.
DAY 2
For the second day, we chose to integrate off-the-beaten-track attractions with the typical favorites. In the morning, you will be checking out the peaceful as well as historical district of Arakawa City as well as Kita City.
Arakawa City as well as Kita City are found in the northeastern part. These areas are not as well-known as Shibuya or Shinjuku, however still welcoming to tourists as well as harbor a few of city’s finest kept secrets, linked by the